70 DOE jobs transferred to Coleraine

Over 300 DVA jobs will be lost throughout Northern Ireland, but primarily in the Co Londonderry town, when motor tax services are centralised to Swansea on Monday 21 July.The Minister's announcement comes after he reviewed any potential posts within the Department of Environment that could offset these losses.Over 50 posts transferring from Belfast will go to DVA staff in Coleraine. A further 20 staff will relocate to Coleraine, which will help to lessen the impact on the local economy, after the Westminster government announced in March that it was centralising all our vehicle licensing services in Swansea.Mr Durkan is also working with the Minister for Transport in London to secure 12 additional new jobs, funded by Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea.He is also moving existing filled posts in DOE to Londonderry to further boost the local economy.I continue to work closely with my Executive colleagues to try and ensure other government departments will now make up the shortfall.Environment Minister Mark H DurkanThe Minister said: "The loss of hundreds of DVA jobs is a devastating blow to the hard working people affected and their families. I pledged to draw a fine comb over my Department to establish as many posts as I could to offset the job losses and lessen the economic impact. 70 jobs from an already dispersed department like the DOE is welcome."I am also mindful of the economy in Coleraine and further afield that has been affected by the job losses."To that end, I am arranging to relocate 24 posts from DOE Planning, including the chief planner, DOE Marine Division, and some posts from my own Private Office to Ebrington Barracks in Derry. Some of the posts in Derry will be suitable redeployment opportunities for surplus DVA staff."The SDLP MLA also said he has stressed that Westminster must keep Northern Ireland informed about how the centralised services will operate.Minister Durkan spoke to DVA staff and supporters at a Stormont rally at lunchtime.A spokesman for NIPSA, the trade union which represents around 300 DVA workers, welcomed the announcement at the rally."The DOE Minister is clearly doing his bit but we need all Executive Ministers to pull together," Ryan McKinney said."There have been many rallies, marches and protests at Stormont over the years but rarely does anyone come here with the full support of the house, as appears to be the case on this occasion."But we need concrete evidence that that support is material - tea and sympathy won't wash."